NFL veteran Manny Ramirez begins his second season coaching the offensive line at Jackson State University following two seasons at Texas Southern University.
Last season, Jackson State finished the year ranked in several categories including red zone offense (second), winning percentage (third), fourth down conversion percentage (fourth), scoring offense (fifth), rushing offense (eighth), passing yards per completion (ninth), team passing efficiency (12th), first downs offense (16th), sacks allowed (31st), total offense (34th), and third down conversion percentage (38th). He also coached three all-conference performers - Evan Henry, Kirk Ford Jr., and D’Andre Townes-Blue.
In his short stint with the TSU Tigers in Houston, Ramirez wasted no time in setting the tone for the line as the unit was one of the most improved areas on the team after his first year. He played a huge part in the ascension of lineman Drake Centers, who became the first TSU lineman to earn All-SWAC honors since 2010. Centers helped anchor an offensive line which helped TSU finish with 4,293 yards of offense while also playing a huge role in helping TSU protect the quarterback as the line ranked fourth in the conference in sacks, marking a huge improvement in that category from the last time TSU played a full season in 2019. The Tigers finished the 2021 season ranked second in total offense, second in rush offense and third in pass offense. Ramirez arrived at Texas Southern in the summer of 2021 with experience across all levels of football. The Houston native had a nine-year NFL career in addition to working both on the college and high school levels in various capacities. Upon retiring from the NFL in 2015, he accepted a position at his alma mater, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Tex., as the football team’s Director of Player Development. He served as the academic liaison for the football staff, where he developed life skills curricula while also coordinating all community service activities.
After three seasons at Texas Tech, Ramirez moved to the high school ranks and accepted a position as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for Springlake-Erath High School. After one season at Springlake-Erath, Ramirez moved to Fort Worth, Texas after accepting the position of assistant coach/offensive line at Diamond Hill High School.
Before joining the coaching ranks, Ramirez played offensive line for nine seasons in the NFL. He played in 83 games, including 65 starts with both the Detroit Lions (2007-10, 2015) and the Denver Broncos (2011-14). He was the starting center for the duration of legendary quarterback Payton Manning’s career with the organization. Denver totaled 49 wins during Ramirez’ four seasons, which featured four trips to the playoffs and an appearance in Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013. He returned to the Lions in 2015, where he played in all 16 games while making seven starts.
The Detroit Lions drafted Ramirez in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft after a stellar four-year career as Texas Tech. His selection marked the first time a Red Raider offensive guard had been drafted since 1973, when Russell Ingram was taken by Atlanta. Prior to joining the NFL, he was a standout offensive lineman at Texas Tech from 2003-06 under Mike Leach. Known for their high-scoring offensive units, Ramirez helped boost a Red Raider offense that regularly ranked among the best in college football. The school record-holder in the bench press, he was an All-Big 12 Conference second team honoree in 2005 and was twice named an honorable mention selection. Ramirez’ final game in a Tech uniform was quite memorable as he was part of a Red Raider offense that overcame a 31-point deficit in the third quarter to top Minnesota in the 2006 Insight Bowl. It remains the largest comeback in bowl history.
Ramirez was ranked as a top 100 recruit out of Willowridge High School and an all-district 20- 5A First Teamer.
He and his wife, Iris, have three children - Xaigtlean, Jomari and Cade.
